Man charged in fatal moped hit-and-run appears in court

A 47-year-old man appeared in Circuit Court today after he was charged with negligent homicide in the 2017 hit-and-run of a moped rider near the Hawai‘i Convention Center.

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A 47-year-old man appeared in Circuit Court today after he was charged with negligent homicide in the 2017 hit-and-run of a moped rider near the Hawai‘i Convention Center.

Jerry T. Putnam appeared before Judge Colette Garibaldi after on charges of first-degree negligent homicide and accidents involving death or serious bodily injury in the death of Paul I. Andrews of Honolulu.

His attorney, Dean Hoe, entered a not guilty plea to the charges. Garibaldi scheduled his trial to be held in December.

Putnam remains free after posting $20,000 bail.

The deadly crash shortly after midnight on May 27, 2017. Police said Andrews was traveling Diamond Head-bound on Kapiolani Boulevard on a moped when a Volkswagen operated by a man later identified as Putnam made a left turn onto Atkinson Drive, into the path of the moped.

Andrews was thrown from his moped in the collision. He sustained head injuries and was taken in critical condition to a hospital where he died.

Police said Putnam fled the scene but was located later that day. He was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and failure to render aid.

Police released him pending further investigation.

An Oahu grand jury issued a $20,000 bench warrant against Putnam on Oct. 3 after they returned an indictment charging him with negligent homicide and accidents involving death or serious bodily injury.

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